Patent application title: SYSTEM FOR REMOVING SNOW FROM VEHICLES

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Abstract:

The system for removing snow from vehicles removes snow, ice and other
debris from the roof of a vehicle, such as a truck, trailer, van or the
like, as the vehicle drives therethrough. The system includes a frame
defining an open inner region dimensioned and configured for passage of
the vehicle. The frame includes a pair of laterally opposed posts and an
upper crossbeam extending between upper ends of the posts. A pair of arms
are pivotally attached to the posts, the pair of arms extending
orthogonal to the plane of the frame. A pivotally mounted forward
crossbar extends between forward ends of the pair of arms. A blade is
mounted on the forward crossbar so that the blade removes the snow, ice
and other debris from the roof of the vehicle as it passes through the
frame.

Claims:

1. A system for removing snow from vehicles, comprising: a frame defining
an open inner region dimensioned and configured for passage of a vehicle
therethrough, the frame including a pair of laterally opposed posts and
an upper crossbeam extending between upper ends of the posts; a pair of
arms pivotally attached to the posts, each of the posts having a
corresponding one of the arms attached thereto, the arms extending
substantially orthogonal to the frame, the arms having a forward end and
a rearward end; and a blade pivotally attached to the forward ends of the
arms and extending between the arms, the blade being adapted to remove
snow from a roof of the vehicle as the vehicle passes through the frame.

2. The system for removing snow from vehicles as recited in claim 1,
wherein said pair of arms are vertically adjustable on the posts to raise
and lower said blade.

3. The system for removing snow from vehicles as recited in claim 1,
further comprising a counterweight mounted on the rearward end of each
said arm.

4. The system for removing snow from vehicles as recited in claim 3,
wherein each said counterweight has a mass, the mass of the
counterweights balancing the blade so that said arms extend substantially
horizontally when the blade is out of contact with the roof of the
vehicle.

5. The system for removing snow from vehicles as recited in claim 1,
wherein said blade is at angle with respect to a plane defined by said
frame in order to direct the snow removed from the roof of the vehicle to
one side of the frame.

6. The system for removing snow from vehicles as recited in claim 5,
further comprising a chute mounted in front of one of said posts, the
chute having an open end positioned under the blade and a discharge end
extending away from the frame to discharge the snow directed to one side
of the frame by the angle of the blade away from the frame, thereby
preventing the removed snow from accumulating in front of the frame and
leaving a clear path for vehicles approaching the frame.

7. The system for removing snow from vehicles as recited in claim 6,
further comprising a pair of weighted footings, the posts being mounted
on the footings.

8. The system for removing snow from vehicles as recited in claim 7,
further comprising a third weighted footing positioned beneath the chute
and extending rearward to the post in rear of the chute.

9. The system for removing snow from vehicles as recited in claim 8,
further comprising a fence mounted on the third weighted footing and
extending from below the chute to the post in rear of said chute for
preventing debris falling from the chute from re-entering the open inner
region of said frame.

10. The system for removing snow from vehicles as recited in claim 6,
further comprising a forward crossbar extending between the forward ends
of said arms, said blade being mounted on the forward crossbar. the
forward crossbar being pivotally mounted on said arms.

11. The system for removing snow from vehicles as recited in claim 10,
further comprising: a pair of plates extending upward from opposite ends
of said crossbar; a pair of brackets attached to the forward ends of said
arms; and a pair of tension springs extending between respective pairs of
the plates and brackets, the springs resiliently biasing opposite ends of
the blade.

12. The system for removing snow from vehicles as recited in claim 11,
further comprising at least one light mounted on the upper crossbeam.

13. An apparatus for removing snow from vehicles, comprising: a frame
defining an open inner region dimensioned and configured for passage of a
vehicle therethrough, the frame including a pair of laterally opposed
posts and an upper crossbeam extending between upper ends of the posts; a
pair of arms pivotally attached to the posts, each of the posts having a
corresponding one of the arms attached thereto, the arms extending
substantially orthogonal to the frame, the arms having a forward end and
a rearward end; a forward crossbar extending between the forward ends of
the aims, the crossbar being pivotally attached to the arms; and a blade
mounted on the forward crossbar, the blade being adapted to remove snow
from a roof of the vehicle as the vehicle passes through the frame.

14. The system for removing snow from vehicles as recited in claim 13,
further comprising: a pair of plates extending upward from opposite ends
of said crossbar; a pair of brackets attached to the forward ends of said
arms; and a pair of tension springs extending between respective pairs of
the plates and brackets, the springs resiliently biasing opposite ends of
the blade.

15. The system for removing snow from vehicles as recited in claim 14,
wherein said pair of arms are vertically adjustable on the posts to raise
and lower said blade.

16. The system for removing snow from vehicles as recited in claim 15,
further comprising a counterweight mounted on the rearward end of each
said arm, each of the counterweights having a mass, the mass of the
counterweights balancing the blade so that said arms extend substantially
horizontally when the blade is out of contact with the roof of the
vehicle.

17. The system for removing snow from vehicles as recited in claim 16,
further comprising at least one guide member mounted on the forward
crossbar and projecting forwardly therefrom.

18. The system for removing snow from vehicles as recited in claim 17,
wherein said blade is at angle with respect to a plane defined by said
frame in order to direct the snow removed from the roof of the vehicle to
one side of the frame.

19. The system for removing snow from vehicles as recited in claim 18,
further comprising a chute mounted in front of one of said posts, the
chute having an open end positioned under the blade and a discharge end
extending away from the frame to discharge the snow directed to one side
of the frame by the angle of the blade away from the frame, thereby
preventing the removed snow from accumulating in front of the frame and
leaving a clear path for vehicles approaching the frame.

20. The system for removing snow from vehicles as recited in claim 19,
further comprising a pair of weighted footings, the posts being mounted
on the footings.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to the removal of snow, ice, and
other debris from vehicles, and particularly to a system for removing
snow from vehicles that removes snow, ice and other debris from a flat
surface of a vehicle, such as the vehicle's roof.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Snow, ice and other debris commonly accumulate on flat vehicle
surfaces. Not only does such accumulation increase the overall weight of
the vehicle, thus decreasing efficiency, but it must be removed in order
to prevent hazards to other drivers. When the vehicle is driven, the ice,
snow, and other debris may fly from the vehicle surface and land on the
road behind the vehicle, or upon another vehicle, thus creating dangerous
conditions.

[0005] Due to decreases in efficiency, the necessity of clearing cargo
space, and the potential hazards caused by these weather-related
conditions, the clearing of snow, ice, and debris is of considerable
interest in the trucking and bus industries. Trucking companies and bus
lines spend considerable amounts of time and money clearing snow and ice
from vehicles after every snowstorm. Due to the great effort involved,
operation of the trucks or buses of a large fleet can be delayed
significantly after a snowstorm. Furthermore, since snow and ice removal
is typically performed manually by workers shoveling from atop the truck
bed or bus roof, there is a significant hazard for the workers, who may
slip and fall from the raised bed or roof.

[0006] Thus, a system for removing snow from vehicles solving the
aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The system for removing snow from vehicles is a purely mechanical
system that removes snow, ice and other debris from the roof of a
vehicle, such as a truck, trailer, van or the like, as the vehicle drives
therethrough. The system includes a frame defining an open inner region
dimensioned and configured for passage of the vehicle therethrough. The
frame includes a pair of laterally opposed posts and an upper crossbeam
secured to, and extending between, upper ends of the posts. A pair of
arms are pivotally secured to the posts, the pair of arms extending
substantially orthogonal to the plane of the frame.

[0008] A forward crossbar is pivotally mounted between forward ends of the
arms. A blade is mounted on the forward crossbar so that the blade
removes the snow, ice and other debris from the roof of the vehicle as it
passes through the frame.

[0009] These and other features of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and
drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for removing snow from
vehicles according to the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a front view of the system for removing snow from
vehicles according to the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the system for removing snow from vehicles
according to the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the system for removing
snow from vehicles according to the present invention, showing pivotal
connection between one end of a blade and the forward end of an arm of
the system.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a top view of the system for removing snow from vehicles
according to the present invention.

[0015] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the system for removing snow from
vehicles 10 includes a generally planar, inverted U-shaped frame 12
defining a central open region 14 dimensioned and configured so that
vehicles, such as trucks, trailers, vans or the like, may be driven
therethrough. A blade 18 is pivotally mounted to the frame 12, the blade
18 being positioned immediately above the roof of a vehicle being driven
through region 14 and oriented to scrape or clear snow, ice or other
debris from the roof thereof as the vehicle passes through frame 12.

[0017] As best shown in FIG. 5, the blade 18 has opposed ends 21, 22
angled so that one end 21 is forward of the opposite end 22 (with respect
to a longitudinal axis of FIG. 5). Thus, snow or other debris on the
vehicle roof will be swept towards end 22 as the vehicle passes through
the frame 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a chute 20 is secured to a post
or vertical support 32 of the frame 12 by supports 51, 53, which extend
forward from the post 32. As best seen in FIG. 2, the upper end 90 of
chute 20 is positioned under the end 22 of the blade 18 and the lower end
of the chute 20 forms a discharge end directed away from the frame 12 so
that snow or other debris removed by the blade 18 from the vehicle roof
is shunted off by the chute 20 and falls outside the frame 12. The blade
18 is preferably angled at approximately 42° with respect to the
lateral axis of the frame 12 (in the orientation of FIG. 5, the lateral
axis of frame 12 is aligned with the vertical axis of the page).

[0018] The frame 12 includes a pair of posts or vertical supports 30, 32
and a crossbar or crossbeam 28 extending between the upper ends of the
posts 30, 32. A light 70 may be mounted on the crossbar 28. The lower
ends of the posts 30, 32 are secured within a pair of rearward extending
concrete footings 72, 75, which provide a stable base for the frame 12.
As best shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, additional diagonal support struts
84, 86 may be used to provide additional support or bracing for the posts
30, 32, the lower ends of the struts 84, 86 being attached to the
concrete footings 72, 75.

[0019] An additional concrete footing 74 may extend forward of the
concrete footing 75, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. A shield or fence 88 may
be extend forward from the post 32 and be secured to a fence post
extending upward from the additional footing 74 so that when snow or
other debris falls down the chute 20, the snow or debris is prevented
from entering the open region 14 between the posts 30 and 32, thus
keeping the driving path of the vehicle approaching and passing under the
frame 12 and the blade 18 clear. Preferably, the chute 20 is adjustably
mounted with respect to the frame 12, and may include an insert formed
from rubber or the like that contacts the side of the vehicle, thus
forming a non-damaging seal to prevent snow or other debris from falling
between the upper end 90 of the chute 90 and the side of the vehicle
within the open region 14.

[0020] The blade 18 is pivotally mounted on the posts 30, 32 by pivot
assemblies connections 52, 50, respectively. The blade 18 is secured to a
crossbar 34, which extends between forward ends of a pair of arms 36, 38.
The arms 36, 38 are pivotally secured to the posts 30, 32 at pivot
assemblies 52, 50, respectively, near the upper ends of the posts 30, 32.
It should be understood that any suitable type of pivot assembly may be
utilized.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, one end 60 of the crossbar 34 is pivotally
mounted in a bearing 62 formed on the forward end 31 of arm 36, the
opposite end of the crossbar being pivotally mounted in a similar bearing
at the forward end of the other arm 38. The crossbar 34 may be formed
from square tubing and have short, cylindrical axles or stubs extending
from opposite ends of the square tubing that rotate in the bearings 62.
In addition to the pivotal mounting of crossbar 34 and blade 18 with
respect to the arms 36, 38, the crossbar 34 is preferably spring-biased
with respect to the arms 36, 38 to prevent excessive rotation
therebetween. As shown in FIG. 4, a support plate 64 is preferably
mounted to the crossbar 34 and extends substantially orthogonal thereto.
A tension spring 68 extends between an upper end of the plate 64 and a
bracket 66 secured to the arm 36. A similar structure restricts rotation
of the opposite end of the crossbar 34 in the other arm 38. Additionally,
it should be understood that the angle of blade 18 relative to the
cross-beam 28, best seen in FIG. 5, may be reversed, so long as the
forward end 21 of the blade 18 remains positioned opposite the chute 20
(i.e., the angling may be reversed if the chute 20 is positioned on the
opposite side of the frame 12).

[0022] The blade 18 may be formed from any suitable material, such as
steel, and may have a reinforcing plastic liner. Although shown as having
a substantially C-shaped cross-section, it should be understood that the
blade 18 may have any desired shape or relative dimensions. The pivot
assemblies 50, 52 may be brass pivot pins inserted into height-adjustable
boxes 92, 94, or any other suitable type of pivot assembly.

[0023] Additionally, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a pair of guides 40,
42 may be attached to the blade 18 and extend forward therefrom. The
forward ends 41, 43 of the guides 40, 42 are preferably beveled, thus
urging the pivotal movement of the blade 18 (via pivotal connections 52,
50 of arms 36, 38, respectively, with vertical supports 30, 32) when the
roof of the vehicle contacts the forward ends 41, 43. The rear ends 45,
47 of the guides 40, 42 are attached to the crossbar 34. In order to
further prevent excessive pivoting or rotation of the arms 36, 38 with
respect to the frame 12, a pair of chains 80, 82 or cables may extend
between the crossbar 34 and the frame 12.

[0024] The rear ends of the arms 36, 38 have counter-weights 56, 54
mounted thereon. Preferably, without the presence of a vehicle, the
counter-weights 56, 54 are weighted (and the arms 36, 38 are properly
dimensioned) so that arms 36, 38 extend substantially horizontally; i.e.,
the counter-weights 56, 54 are perfectly balanced with respect to the
blade 18 and guides 40, 42.

[0025] It should be noted that the pivoting of one arm 36 is independent
of the pivoting of the opposite arm 38 with respect to frame 12 (via the
pivotal connection between the forward ends of the arms 36, 38 with
crossbar 34, as shown in FIG. 4), thus allowing the blade 18 to fully
contact the roof of the vehicle, even if the vehicle is off-level or
slopes to one side. The frame 12 is preferably portable, and it should be
understood that the system 10 may be dimensioned and configured to
accommodate the particular vehicles being driven therethrough.

[0026] For most trailer-type vehicles, the system 10 may be dimensioned so
that the blade 18 is balanced approximately 12.5 feet above the ground.
With the pivoting of arms 30, 32, the blade 18 may be rotated to a height
of approximately 13.5 feet above the ground. As noted above, the pivot
assemblies 50, 52 may be brass pivot pins inserted into height-adjustable
boxes 92, 94, or any other suitable type of pivot assembly, the
height-adjustable boxes 92, 94 being slidably adjustable on the posts 30,
32, thus allowing the height of the pivot assemblies 50, 52 to be
vertically adjusted, depending upon the type of vehicle passing through
the frame 12.

[0027] The posts 30, 32 and crossbeam 28 may be formed from 8''×8
3/4'' steel beams or the like. The guides 40, 42, using the above
exemplary dimensions, may each extend approximately five feet from the
forward ends 41, 43 to the blade 18, The guides 40, 42 may be formed from
any suitable material that will not damage the vehicle roof, such as
steel having a plastic insert or the like.

[0028] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to
the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments
within the scope of the following claims.